
Class. 
Book. 



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.Yali 




Ma-irv Ca-na.!— Er\tra.nce to the Colorado River 



IRRIGATION 

LAND AND IMPROVEMENT 

COMPANY 



YUMA, ARIZ:0:NA: 



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A Driveway on the Blaisdell Orange Farm, Yuma Heights. 



Officers of tfie Irrloation, Laqd aqd improveineiit Gompaqy. 



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JOHN G. GREEN, President Harrington, Wash. 

WILL J. GREEN, Secretary and Treasurer, . Harrington, Wash. 
\'y.E, }^4j^yl V'ice-P^&sld'eni^and Majiager, . Yuma, Arizona. 



JUL 11 1904 
D. ofD, 



OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR. 



Phoenix, Aeizona, January 21, 1904. 

Dear Sir: It has been a source of gratification to me to observe 
the marvelous growth of Yuma County as shown in the progress of 
agriculture, mining and stockraising, and I wish to express my 
congratulations to the citizens of your county who have shown such 
energy and public spirit in the development of the resources of which 
you are so richly favored. 

It is my belief that the present development of mining, cattle- 
raising and agriculture is but a small beginning of material progress 
in these lines, and that the greatest reward for the thrift and energy 
of your citizens is held by future years to be bountifully bestowed. 
There can be no doubt that Yuma County will stand among the first 
counties of the southwest in agriculture, mining and cattle-raising ; 
and to-day throughout Arizona I have observed that the resources 
of your county are pointed to with pride by the people of the whole 
Territory. 

The soil of the Colorado and other valleys of Yuma County is 
famed throughout the country as possessing elements that insure 
production in all branches of agriculture and horticulture beyond 
the most sanguine hopes of the husbandman. In my judgment the 
Colorado River Valley is one of the richest in the world. 

Agriculture must keep in jDace with the progress of mining, for 
the mining camps look to the farmer for hay, grain, vegetables, beef, 
pork and mutton, and these commodities must be produced in in- 
creasing quantities as new mines are opened up. There is always 
a home market close at hand, and with diversified resources such as 
Yuma County possesses the market must always be a profitable one. 
I am gratified to observe, however, that mining is richly favored in 
your county because of the progress made in agriculture, and it is 
plain to my mind that this condition should encourage the invest- 
ment of capital in mines throughout your county. 

During the past year the advancement in mining in Yuma 
County has been marked. New camps have appeared and the older 
ones strengthened by the successful exploitation of mineral and the 









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Looking Down Canal from Headgate. 

consequent increase in the number of men employed. The field is 
one scarcely "scratched" by the prospector and miner, and I look 
for the opening of many new mines during the present year. 

On the whole Yuma County is worthy of the recognition of the 
people of the Territory as one of the most progressive, public-spirited 
divisions of our Territory. 

Wishing you a continuance of the success your people so richly 
deserve, I am, y^^.^ respectfully, 

Alexander 0. Brodie, 



Governor of Arizona. 



J. E. LuDY, Esq., 

Yuma, Arizona. 



YUHA COUNTY, ARIZONA. 

The subject matter in this booklet deals with the resources and 
industries of Y^uma County, Arizona, one of the richest countries and 
most favored lands on this continent. 

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Peae Orchard on the Judge Thacker Farm, Yuma Valley, Arizona 

LOCATION. 

Yuma County lies in the southwest corner of Arizona. It is 
bordered on the south by Mexico, and on the west by the State of 
California, the Colorado River being the dividing line. 

WHERE CAN I SECURE A GOOD HOHE? 

If the farmer or business man or capitalist is asking himself 
the question, "Where shall I go to enter business, or secure a home, 
or invest my money," we would earnestly ask you to look into the 
merits of Yuma County, Arizona, and especially into the advantages 
that are offered in the way of rich farms and good lands. 



LAND AND WATER. 

We will not qualify any statement that the richest land in the 
United States and the largest supply of water are both to be found 
around Yuma, Arizona. In the months of June, July and August 
when water is most in demand, the supply is greatest. This abund- 
ant flow is due to the snow melting in the high range mountains of 
Utah and Colorado. 

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Canal Entrance to Reservoir, No. 1. 

THE IRRIGATION LAND AND inPROVEflENT COHPANY. 

The Irrigation Land and Improvement Company was organized 
under the laws of Arizona and was incorporated February 26, 1900. 

COST OF WATER STOCK. 

The present value of water stock is $10.00 per share per acre. 
The shares are sold to the farmer and land owner in installments, 
$2.50 down at the time of purchase, and $2.50 per year until paid for. 



SOIL. 

A large volume could be written about the rich soil in the valley 
without exhausting the subject. The surface soil down to a depth of 
ten feet is made up from a marvelously rich sediment from the 
Colorado River. Below this sediment is a substrata of sand which 
carries away all salt or alkali, if any exists, and even these ingredi- 
ents are seldom found and only exist in spots, but where found the 
same will disappear as soon as irrigating water is turned on the land. 

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Stacking Hay on the Hopkins Farm, Yuma Valley, Ahizona. 

WHAT THE LAND WILL PRODUCE. 

Wheat, oats, barley, corn, rye, alfalfa, oranges, lemons, grapes, 
figs, olives, pomegranates, dates, mulberries, blackberries, logan- 
berries, sorghum, kaffir corn, beans, melons, cantaloupes, tomatoes, 
potatoes and sweet potatoes, cherries and a dozen other products not 
mentioned. 

EARLY CROPS. 

Almost every species of fruit and grain that is enumerated in the 
last subdivision can be harvested in April and May. This is especi- 
ally true of oats, wheat, rye and barley, and by the middle of May 
every kind of berry will be ripe and ready to enter the market and at 
a time when the farmer can get the highest price for his products. 
Fruits and vegetables are ready for market at least six weeks earlier 
than in any other part of the Coast. 

ALFALFA. 

This country is especially adapted to raising alfalfa and seven 
to eight crops can be raised on the lands in one year with a yield of 

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CciRN ON THE T. A. Jordan Farm, Vtma \'ali,ev, Arizona. 

ten to twelve tons to the acre with a market price of $10.00 to $15.00 
per ton. This alfalfa land also affords good pasture for at least four 
months of the year. 

AS A STOCK COUNTRY. 

Horses, hogs and cattle are leaders in the stock industry. Here 
they escape rainy weather, storms, blizzards, snows and bad weather 
and this eternal sunshine and the soft summer air are so favorable 
to their growth that stock arrives to a state of physical maturity from 
one to two years earlier than they do in a colder climate. 



CATTLE. 

During 1903-04 more than 2,000 cattle were shipped into the 
valley that they might be fattened on the rich pasture fields of alfalfa. 
Beef cattle bring the highest price in our markets east or west and 
can be sold any day of the year right here at our own doors. 




Private Residence, Yrsrv, Arizona. 

CHARACTER OF THE LAND. 

Uncultivated land here is covered with a growth of mes- 
quite, arrow weeds, cottonwood or willow. These various growths 
depend on the soil and its moisture. • 

PURCHASABLE LANDS. 

Lands can be bought in the Yuma Valley adjacent or within 
access of water from the company's canals at prices ranging from 
$5.00 to $75.00 per acre. Experienced farmers claim they can pay 
$100.00 per acre for improved land and pay for it in three years. 
Much of this land, though settled on and homesteaded, is not yet 
cleared up. This land will cost to clear it from $1.50 to $5.00 per acre, 
the cost depending on the growth and nature of the hummocks on the 
land. 

FERTILIZERS. 

An acre foot of water taken from the Colorado River and dis- 
tributed over the land carries with it one of the richest fertilizers 
known to the farmer. Government experts state that after the bulk 




Reservoir Ko. 1. The Company Have Three Other Reservoirs Similar to No. 1. 

of the sediment has been precipitated so as to pass the water through 
the ditches it still holds a fertilizer worth from $2.00 to $3.00 per 
acre. 



ABUNDANCE OF WATER. 

It is a noted fact that the complaints that come from agricul- 
turists who depend on irrigation are generally based on the uncertain 
and scanty supply of water, which is usually wholly exhausted just 
at the time of year when water is most needed. In Yuma we have 
water that surpasses the supply in any other section of the United 
States. 

YUMA, ARIZONA. 

Yuma is the county seat of Yuma County, Arizona. The Dist- 
rict Court is presided over by one of the judges of the Supreme 
Court of the Territory. The attorneys that make up the bar are 
men of honor, ability and high standing in the community. The 
city contains a population of about 2,500 people. It has two banks, 
three wholesale houses, a dozen merchandise stores, electric light 

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Gate No. 2, Main Canal. 



system, water works and telephone. The city has a good public 
school system, with a full complement of efficient teachers. The 
churches are well represented and you will find as much order 
and safety of life and prosperity here as in Massachusetts or Ohio. 
This city is built on the Colorado River and two lines of steamers 
make it their chief shipping point. All freight and passengers 
are carried to all parts of the country both up and down the river 
from Yuma. 

TEMPERATURE. 

Much has been said about the temperature at Yuma and it is 
time that the truth be kno^m about this splendid climate. 

If you will examine the United States Weather Bureau reports 
it will be seen that between 1876 and 1904 the highest maximum 
temjjerature in summer at Yuma was 86 degrees and the lowest 
minimum temperature was 59 degrees, now the hottest one day for 30 
years was 118 degrees in 1878 and the lowest temperature was 22 
degrees above zero, which has occurred but once in 30 years the 
average temperature in winter being 70 degrees above and the 

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Shipping Honey From Yi^ma, Arizona. 

average days in summer being 85 to 100 degrees. The temperature of 
Fresno and Bakersfield, Cal., and Chicago, 111., have run up higher 
and remained longer than was ever heard of in this county, besides 
this if you will examine the Bureau reports you will find that our sec- 
tion will average up with any other locality in California, Arizona, 
New Mexico or Texas and it must be remembered that when the ther- 
mometer registers 100 degrees here it is not as oppressive as 75 
and 80 degrees are in Ohio or New- York as our atmosphere is very 
dry and the heat is never troublesome. 

The figures herein quoted were taken from the United States 
Weather Bureau's report and can be relied on as correct. 

PRODUCTS OF YUHA COUNTY. 

During the year 1903 we quote below a partial list of what this 
county has produced and an approximate number of horses, cattle 
and hogs in the countj^: 

Wheat 15,000 sacks, 1903 

Barley 25,000 sacks 1903 

Sweet potatoes 1,000 sacks, 1903 

Alfalfa 10,000 tons, 1903 

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Horses on the Winsor Farm, Yuma Valley, Arizona. 

Estimated crop for 1904 20,000 tons 

Lemons 1,000 boxes, 1903 

Sorghum 500 tons, 1903 

Horses moi'e than 5,000 head in the county 

Hogs exported 10 carloads 

Cattle exported, 3,000 

Estimated number of cattle in Yuma County. . . . 

15,000 head 

Honey product for 1903, 30 tons 

Honey exported in 1903, 20 tons 

Apricots raised year 1903 2,000 boxes 

The above is only an approximate statement for 1903. The 
reader must not forget that irrigation and farming in the valley 
is in its infancy. This is certainly a good showing when you take 
into consideration the fact that farming without irrigation in this 
county is impossible and that our irrigation system is only a few 
j^ears old. 

During the year 1903 Judge Thacker sold in the vicinity of 100 
boxes of very fine pears from his farm three miles from Yuma. 

S. E. Seeley's farm in the valley yielded something like 150 
sacks of beans as fine as can be produced in any part of the world. 

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About 1,000 boxes of round full jDlump oranges were raised 
on tlie Blaisdell fami west of Yuma and nowhere in the United 
States can they beat our oranges in size, sweetness, color or luscious 
flavor. We have here the coming orange and lemon producing 
district of the West, the equal of which can not be found. 

BEE INDUSTRY. 

Honey making and the bee industry is one of the most profitable 
industries in this county. Many tons are each year shipped from 
this valley. Its flavor and quality is one of its most valuable feat- 
ures. The alfalfa blossom, flowers, willows and mesquite bloom 
afford a never ending source to supply the busy bee. 

WATER RIGHTS 

Water rights are attached to the land and transferred with it. 
We have at present some 50,000 acres under our system that is 
located in the United States and water sufficient to irrigate this area. 

WELL WATER. 

Good water for drinking and household purposes can be had by 
sinking a well seven to sixteen feet, but better water can be secured 
in great abundance by going down to a depth of thirty to sixty feet. 

PLANTING CROPS. 

Every month of the year some kind of crop is being planted or 
harvested. This fact speaks for itself and shows the value of this 
country as a crop producer and speaks volumes for our climate. 

HOW TO REACH YUMA. 

From whatever part of the United States you start from, always 
buy your ticket via the Southern Pacific Railroad. Their lines are 
safe to travel over, their cars are up-to-date and you can have every 
comfort of home right on the train. Chair cars, dining cars and 
sleeping coaches make travel to this country one of comfort and 
even luxury. 

A FINAL SUGGESTION. 

If the reader is interested in this subject and wants to secure a 
home or make a valuable investment, we ask him to come to this 
valley and examine it for himself. This is a fair way to treat you 
and one that should be highly satisfactory to the most critical in- 
vestor. For maps, prices and further information call on or 

sddress 

' Irrigation Land and Improvement Company, 

VUiVlA, ARIZOINA. 

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Palm Teef in Bearing, Yuma, Arizona. 



